In the world AMD processors Recently, an interesting situation has been observed. Despite the release of the Ryzen 9000 series, many experts and users are asking: should we wait for new products to appear on the Russian market in general and Ryzen 5 9600X in particular? To give a full answer to this question, let’s study the capabilities of both processors and try to understand whether the new generation offers significant improvements. Or not?

Processors of the Ryzen 9000 series is the latest generation of desktop CPUs from AMD. They were initially expected to offer significant performance gains over the Ryzen 7000 series. Particular hopes rested on Ryzen 5 9600Xa mid-range six-core processor that was of interest to users looking for a balance between performance and price. However, as practical tests showed, the reality turned out to be somewhat different. But first let’s run through the characteristics.

The table shows that Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 5 9600X have 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen 5 9600X has a base clock of 4.7 GHz and Turbo mode boosts up to 5.0 GHz. Both have an unlocked multiplier and identical level 3 cache size. In turn, the Ryzen 5 7600X has the same base frequency, but is capable of delivering up to 5.3 GHz at its peak. So, not surprisingly, the new processor is even slightly inferior to its predecessor. This is especially affected by the TDP, which clearly limits the beginner, although it does not allow him to burn to white.

But numbers are numbers, but what about actual performance? The authors of the YouTube channel Testing Games conducted the most obvious comparison of the two processors. We will push away from him.

Ryzen 5 7600X and Ryzen 5 9600X gaming comparison

They tested Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 5 7600X as part of a PC with an Aorus X670E Master motherboard, G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (DDR5) memory, a GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB video card and a CORSAIR HX Series HX1200 PSU. For objectivity, the comparison was made without synthetic benchmarks, just in games with a high graphics preset in 1080p resolution. Here’s what came out of it:

The Witcher 3

Despite the fact that in a number of games Ryzen 5 9600X does show more fps compared to Ryzen 5 7600X, the increase of the new product is so insignificant that it can be attributed to a statistical error. After all, when the number of frames per second goes to many hundreds, what is the difference, the processor in Counter-Strike will produce 2588 frames or 582.

Such results raise serious questions for AMD about the feasibility of releasing a new generation of processors with minimal improvements. Even Intel’s rival typically sees at least a 5% gain between generations, while AMD in this case offers no major improvements. Especially against the background of the price, which in Russian realities is almost a third higher than the Ryzen 5 9600X.

If you take the bottom bar, Ryzen 5 9600X (mainly from among those bought on AliExpress, which neither have a normal warranty nor give confidence in the origin) in Russia costs about 32,000 rubles, including import duty. Simultaneously buy Ryzen 5 7600X you can for about 22,000 – 23,000 rubles. At the same time, you will receive a processor with a guarantee, which, given the practically identical performance, makes overpaying 6,000 rubles for a new product completely unjustified.

The lack of significant improvements in architecture and performance is questionable feasibility of choosing Ryzen 5 9600X even for enthusiasts who always want to have the latest equipment. In effect, the buyer is only paying for a higher order quantity without receiving tangible practical benefits in return.

The Ryzen 5 7600X also benefits from the fact that it has proven itself well on the market. There are many optimized motherboard BIOSes for it, which ensures stable operation and the possibility of fully revealing the potential of the processor. Even the problems faced by its owners at the start have already been recorded. But the Ryzen 5 9600X may take time to come out optimized BIOS versions and drivers, which may cause temporary performance or system stability issues.

What processor to buy for a gaming PC

Given the current situation, it is worth considering alternative options for processors that may be more profitable for users:

• Ryzen 5 7600: The non-overclocked version of the processor offers an excellent price-performance ratio. With a TDP of 65 W and a price of less than 22,000 rubles, it is an excellent choice for budget builds.

• Ryzen 7 7700: For those looking for a more powerful solution, this 8-core processor offers high performance in games and multitasking. With a TDP of 65 W and a price of around 25,000 rubles, it may turn out to be a better choice than the Ryzen 5 9600X.

• Ryzen 7 5700X3D: For owners of AM4 socket motherboards, this 2024 processor offers excellent gaming performance comparable to the Ryzen 5 7600X without the need for a platform upgrade.

What is more important for games: video card or processor

It is worth noting that in modern game systems the key role in performance is played video card. Even with a mid-range processor like the Ryzen 5 7600X or the potential Ryzen 5 9600X, the right graphics card can deliver excellent gaming performance. For example, a combination of any of the aforementioned processors with a video card of the level Radeon RX 7700 XT will allow you to run modern games in 2K resolution at maximum graphics settings.

Radeon RX 7700 XT, despite its cost of about 50,000 rubles, offers 12 GB video memory and enough power to solve the most difficult game tasks. In conditions where video memory requirements are constantly increasing, this amount of memory will ensure the long-term relevance of the video card.

Should I buy Ryzen 5 9600X

Despite the current situation, the possibility of improving the performance of the Ryzen 5 9600X in the future cannot be ruled out. Potential BIOS updateOptimizing the Windows Task Scheduler and possibly increasing TDP can improve its performance. However, at the moment these improvements remain only theoretical, and there are no guarantees that they will be implemented or have a significant impact on overall performance.

It is also important to consider that AMD may release updated versions of processors or new models of the Ryzen 9000 series that may offer more significant improvements. However, the wait for such releases may drag on indefinitely, while the current Ryzen 7000 models offer excellent performance.

And you can unlock the full potential of Ryzen 5 7600X or any other processor by following even the simplest tips:

• BIOS update: Check regularly for BIOS updates for your motherboard. Manufacturers often release updates that improve compatibility and performance.

• XMP settings memory profiles: Make sure that the RAM is working at the declared frequencies. Enabling the XMP profile in the BIOS can significantly improve system performance.

• Optimization of cooling: Good cooling will allow the processor to work at maximum frequencies for longer. Consider using quality air or liquid cooling.

• Power saving settings: Depending on your needs, setting up power saving modes in Windows can help you find a balance between performance and energy efficiency.

In the end, the situation with the Ryzen 5 9600X is a reminder that in the world of technology, new does not always mean best. You will not be disappointed if you install it on your system. But it’s important to critically evaluate new products and their real benefits before making a purchase or upgrade decision.

The current generation Ryzen 7000 processors offers excellent performance and functionality capable of meeting the needs of most users. Rather than waiting for the Ryzen 5 9600X to hit the Russian market, it’s recommended to consider currently available options such as the Ryzen 5 7600X or Ryzen 7 7700, which offer excellent value for money.